GORDON & MACPHAIL TO RELEASE 74-YEAR-OLD WHISKY TO COMMEMORATE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III

 Gordon & MacPhail is set to unveil a special single malt whisky from 1948 – the year of his birth – to honour King Charles III’s Coronation in May. 

The Private Collection 1948 from Glen Grant Distillery was filled into a first-fill Sherry cask on 10^th April 1948 by Gordon & MacPhail. Only 281 bottles will be available of this ultra-rare release which was bottled on 15^th December – the anniversary of His Majesty’s christening.

Priced at £25,000, the whisky retains a remarkable cask strength of 50.4% after more than seven decades of maturation. And the result is a vibrant and fragrant single malt packed with festive spices, mulled berries, a hint of raisin and lemon zest.

Last year, Gordon & MacPhail released a 70-year-old single malt to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Prior to this, HRH Prince Charles – as he was known then – officially reopened its Benromach Distillery in 1998.

To celebrate the release of The King Charles III Coronation Edition, a donation of £25,000 will be made by Gordon & MacPhail to The Prince’s Foundation. The charity runs a diverse programme of education and training for all ages and backgrounds, including traditional arts and heritage craft skills, horticulture, wellbeing and hospitality, and regeneration projects to support communities.

Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “This exceptional whisky is a fitting tribute to His Majesty, who has continually promoted and protected British tradition and excellence over many decades. This release has been carefully nurtured for over seventy years and is testament to great patience, long term thinking and commitment to creating high quality products; principles that have been handed down through generations of people working for our family business. 

“For more than 50 years, King Charles has placed a firm focus on sustainability and supporting communities. Our donation to The Prince’s Foundation will support his vision of a more sustainable world and aims to help create future legacies.”

Founded in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has bottled spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries, forging close relationships in the process over many decades.

For more information, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

#GordonandMacPhail

Notes

RRP: £25,000 ABV: 50.4%

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Fragrant festive spices complement mulled berries with a hint of raisin. Lemon zest comes to the fore alongside demerara sugar and subtle beeswax polish.

Palate: Red apple flavours infuse with bitter orange and milk chocolate. Subtle smoke develops accompanied by fresh peppermint leaves.

Finish: Full finish with lingering grapefruit and mature oak.

About Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

For over 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt Scotch whisky of exceptional quality.

Through four generations of family ownership, the company has matched spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries to its casks.

It is this unique depth and breadth of experience that enables Gordon & MacPhail to combine oak, spirit and time to create a portfolio of iconic whiskies found nowhere else in the world.

FETTERCAIRN SINGLE MALT WHISKY COMPLETES THE WAREHOUSE COLLECTION WITH WAREHOUSE 14 THEIR LATEST LIMITED EDITION RELEASE 

The Limited Edition release Warehouse 14, will be available from April 2023

Fettercairn Distillery has announced the fifth and final instalment of their ‘Warehouse Collection’, Warehouse 14, an experimental Limited Edition release, opening the doors to Warehouse 14 for the first time in the Collection’s journey.

Warehouse 14 is the latest release from pioneering Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass. As is the aim of the Collection, this Limited Edition release takes Fettercairn and its famed tropical house style on another new and unexpected journey.

A rare and remarkable Single Malt, bottled at 51.2% ABV (Non-Chill-Filtered and Natural Colour), Warehouse 14 is shaped by Fettercairn’s unique dunnage Warehouse 14 and the whisky maker’s expert balance of unusual casks.

Gregg Glass, Master Whisky Maker: “The response to our first four warehouse releases has been incredibly encouraging. Our ethos with the Fettercairn Warehouse Collection was to offer a taste of the experiments laid down here, with each Limited Edition expression exploring different flavour characteristics that enhance our unique tropical house style.

“With the release of Warehouse 14 we were looking to create another new expression of our house style, building on the influence of ex-bourbon casks, which work very well with our distinctive tropical notes, whilst exploring the unique influence of casks sourced from local craft beer producers.

“Each of our warehouses at Fettercairn has a sense of magic. It is a fantastic place to make whisky and with Warehouse 14, I think we have once again pushed the boundaries and offered a new perspective of what Fettercairn can be.

“As always, we created this whisky to be enjoyed, and I am pleased to offer another unique, new expression that curious whisky lovers and connoisseurs can explore.”

Warehouse 14 has been crafted using a handpicked selection of first-fill and second-fill ex-Bourbon barrels. This release was initially created as an experiment in the unique Warehouse 14 by Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and the Distillery Team. The recipe was finished in a mix of three different beer barrels – stout, dark ale and pale ale – each offering different flavour characteristics that enhance Fettercairn’s tropical house style.

Fettercairn’s signature house style, abundant with tropical fruit flavours and soft spice, is created by the unique cooling ring, which ensures only the purest vapours rise and produces the distinctive tropical characteristic, remains a feature of Warehouse 14 on the nose and on the palate.

However, this Limited Edition release offers whisky explorers and enthusiasts alike the opportunity to experience expert, craft and imagination, through this characterful creation.

To the eye, Warehouse 14 is a natural shimmering gold in colour and there is vanilla, honey and floral charm on the nose. To taste, warm toasty maltiness, tropical fruits with layers of crème caramel, apricot tart, cacao, soft wood spices and a pleasing nuttiness.

The Limited Edition Warehouse Collection brings to life curious whiskies created by Fettercairn, combined with the treasure trove of unusual casks found across their fourteen dunnage warehouses.  The previous four releases in the Collection have been from Warehouse 2, but for this final release, Fettercairn has looked to a warehouse at the opposite side of the distillery. Warehouse 14 looks out on to the Cairngorms and is more exposed to the elements and changing seasons which has undoubtedly helped to shape this very special final release.

Fettercairn Warehouse 14 will complete the Warehouse Collection and will be available at an RSP of £70 ($96.50) from the start of April from The Whisky Shop. Available on a Limited Edition basis in limited selected markets including UK, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and France.

About Fettercairn – www.fettercairnwhisky.com 

Fettercairn Distillery is a hidden gem – a Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery located in the heart of a thriving agricultural community, Aberdeenshire – ‘The Garden of Scotland’.

A spark of whisky making ingenuity is what makes Fettercairn special.  A sense of wonder has been a constant theme back to 1824, as illustrated by our beautiful copper cooling ring, which produces a uniquely tropical style of new make spirit, and our Scottish Oak Programme from which we developed our Fettercairn 18 Year Old Scottish Oak.

Today we continue to take a progressive outlook and make new unexpected journeys in flavour led whisky making.  We invite curious whisky lovers and connoisseurs to explore and enjoy Fettercairn Single Malt.

About Gregg Glass- Master Whisky Maker – Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year, Scotland 2023 

Respected whisky maker Gregg Glass joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016, where he has been a leading light in the rejuvenation of Fettercairn alongside Distillery Manager Stewart Walker.

Gregg enjoyed a childhood in the heart of whisky making country, the Black Isle. With 22 years in industry notably 11 years at innovative whisky maker Compass Box, Gregg joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016 to work alongside renowned Master Distiller Mr Richard Paterson OBE.

Gregg has enjoyed 15 years career as a blender and whisky maker. At Whyte and Mackay Gregg has led whisky development for Fettercairn Single Malt Whisky, Jura Single Malt Whisky and in 2017 launched Whisky Works – an independent innovation wing of Whyte and Mackay.

Gregg is devoted to his craft and believes in flavour-led hands-on whisky making. Gregg is passionately involved in every aspect of the whisky making process from ‘acorn to glass’ and since 2020 leads whisky making across the Whyte and Mackay portfolio. 

Award-Winning Whisky Makers Whyte and Mackay

Whyte and Mackay is home to a collection of multi-award-winning Single Malt Whiskies including The Dalmore, Jura and Fettercairn. With a premium spirits portfolio that includes contemporary whisky brands Shackleton, Woodsman and John Barr, alongside popular alcohol brands Wildcat, Fundador and Harveys Bristol Cream and Aperitivo. In the UK the company produce Whyte & Mackay, an award-winning ever-popular Blended Whisky, which recently launched the market-leading ‘Whyte & Mackay Light’ – a lighter spirit drink from Scotland, bottled at a lower ABV.

In 2020 the company were publicly recognised by the First Minister of Scotland for their support of the national pandemic response. Whyte and Mackay are official partners to SAMH – Scottish Association for Mental Health, which saw Whyte and Mackay employees worldwide complete a virtual-race-around-the-world to raise awareness for the charity.

Founded in Glasgow 1844, the whisky makers celebrated their 175 year anniversary in 2019. Today Whyte and Mackay have offices from New York to Singapore. In Scotland, Whyte and Mackay operate a state-of-the-art Bottling Hall and Distribution Centre in Grangemouth and a Whisky Production and Warehousing Centre in Invergordon.

Whyte and Mackay’s whisky making is led by Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE and pioneering Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass.

Balblair 1997 25 YO Single Cask

UK Exclusive Bottling

One of only 163 bottles produced.

Distilled: 1997

Bottled: 25th January 2023
Cask Type: Refill Bourbon Barrel

£210.00 >

Rich red apple aromas complement fragrant floral influences and dried banana. Tropical fruit flavours combine with peanuts and lemon peel. A medium-bodied finish with citrus zest and mature oak. Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail

27 Year Old Whisky Distilled at the Macallan Distillery Celebrates Charles III’s Coronation

The whisky also honours the work of legendary Macallan designer and marketer David Holmes.

May 2023: To celebrate the upcoming coronation of King Charles III, independent bottler and whisky broker Mark Littler is releasing the 27 Year Old Coronation Reserve, a luscious and luxurious 27 year old whisky distilled at the Macallan distillery. Only 90 bottles will be available for purchase exclusively on the Mark Littler Ltd website for £2,599 and can be shipped worldwide.

Matured in a single ex-bourbon cask, the whisky is bottled at its natural strength of 41% ABV in a Glencairn Crystal Reserve decanter and is fitted inside a handmade royal blue box embossed with King Charles III’s cypher, a perfect fit for the coronation.

The creation of the 27 Year Old Coronation Reserve begins with legendary Macallan designer and marketer David Holmes. He was the co-creator of iconic Macallan whiskies including the Peter Blake 1926 60 Year Old, which is now one of the most expensive whisky bottles in the world, as well as all previous Macallan whiskies celebrating royal family milestones. He also masterminded wildly successful advertising campaigns across the 1970s-1990s which helped establish Macallan as a globally-recognised luxury single malt. These marketing campaigns are now being honoured in the Archival (Folio) Series.

Several years ago, Holmes drew a rough draft for a label made for a future hypothetical whisky bottle celebrating King Charles III’s coronation. Though he passed away in 2018, his son and frequent collaborator Toby completed the label that now graces this bottle.

For connoisseurs and collectors, this marks the 27 Year Old Coronation Reserve as a spiritual heir of previous official releases from Macallan tied to the royal family.

An avid collector of Macallan deeply interested in the distillery’s history, Littler is excited about what this whisky represents:

“David Holmes and his partner-in-crime Nick Salaman were arguably responsible for making Macallan instantly recognisable around the world, they made consumers realise how good the distillery’s whisky is” he commented.

“We’re honoured that Toby was willing to collaborate with us on a world-class whisky that also honours his father David, Macallan’s legacy, and the coronation itself.”

Toby is similarly enthusiastic: “It’s been a fantastic experience to be able to revisit my father’s work. It meant a lot to me personally and professionally to help create a whisky that is a fitting tribute to both him and King Charles III.”

Tasting notes by Phil Dwyer from Whisky Wednesday

Colour – Blonde

Nose – Lemon meringue, marzipan, malty biscuits, malting floor. Soft caramel and toffee. A soft saltiness to counter all of the sweetness, fresh pine wood, and pineapple.

Taste – More creaminess and fresh lemon zest. The barley notes are wonderful and quite a contrast from regular Macallan style. A biscuit note runs through the whole development, accompanied by these gentle sweet notes of brown sugar, coconut, banana, and pineapple.

Finish – More fresh barley and malty creaminess. A very gentle and easy drinking Macallan that is the epitome of what ex-American oak Macallan is all about. Loads of sweet, creaminess with a long but gentle finish.

Notes

Retail listing click HERE

For further information or to request interviews with Mark Littler or Toby Holmes, contact Hannah Thompson at pr@marklittler.com

In depth video about the release click HERE

About Mark Littler Ltd

Website: https://shop.marklittler.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkLittler

Mark Littler is an independent whisky broker, market analyst and consultant with over a decade of experience in the industry. Each week he publishes new videos on his YouTube channel about topics such as cask investment fraud (and how to avoid it), the history of distilleries and bottles, debunking whisky investment myths and much more. For more information visit www.marklittler.com

Jack Daniel’s Introduces New 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey in Its Annual Aged Series Release

Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey and 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 2 available in limited quantities across the US beginning in March 2023

Lynchburg, Tennessee (March 14, 2023) – The Jack Daniel Distillery today announced the release of its new 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey along with Batch 2 of its 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey. The limited whiskeys are the latest in Jack Daniel’s Aged Series, an annual release of age-stated expressions that celebrate the brand’s heritage.

“The Jack Daniel Distillery is one of the most complete whiskey distilleries in the world, and we’re fortunate to have a deep history to draw inspiration from and craft premium whiskeys in a way that stays true to our heritage of quality and innovation,” said Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller. “We released our first age-stated whiskey since the early 1900s in this series about a year ago and were thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response. We know there is a lot of excitement for our Aged Series, and we can’t wait to share Batch 2 of our 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey along with the first release of our 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey.”

Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-Old has sweet and creamy notes of pipe tobacco, seasoned oak, and butterscotch. Jack Daniel’s 10-Year-Old Batch 2 is oak forward with layers of dark fruit and bittersweet cocoa.

Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey is offered at 107 proof (53.5% abv) and Jack Daniel’s 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 2 at 97 proof (48.5% abv). They will be available in the United States beginning in March in 700 mL bottles for suggested retail prices of $80 and $70, respectively.

Grain bills for both expressions are 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye and charcoal mellowed before aging in new, toasted and charred American white oak barrels. Visit www.jackdaniels.com for more information.

About Jack Daniel’s

Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails. Today, Jack Daniel’s is a true global icon found in more than 170 countries around the world and is the most valuable spirits brand in the world as recognized by Interbrand.

Please Drink Responsibly.

Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey, 53.5% alc. by vol. and Jack Daniel’s-10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey, 48.5% alc. by vol. Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee. JACK DANIEL’S is a registered trademark. ©2023 Jack Daniel’s. All rights reserved.

K&L Exclusive: Exceptional Pricing on a Rare, Old Speysider
1995 Glenburgie 27 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
(Pre-Arrival) ($200.00)

Our spirits buyers have just secured what can only be described as a treasure trove of singular K&L Exclusive Casks from Redacted Bros., one of our all-time favorite independent bottlers. This stunning, old specimen from Glenburgie offers everything Scotch aficionados are looking for from a name we rarely see on the independent market, and it can be had for a fraction of what you’d pay for any other single malt approaching 30 years in age.

1995 Glenburgie 27 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($200.00)

K&L Notes: This gorgeous barrel of ‘Burgie was hand-selected by the brothers Thompson for us and bottled without chill-filtration at a natural cask strength of 53% ABV. Aged for nearly three decades in a high-quality refill hogshead, these old Glenburgies have incredible fruit character and tons of depth. A sister cask was bottled for the European market at slightly lower proof and has been well received. The awesome retro cartoon label is not the best reason to buy this awesome cask, but it’s a darn good one. Rich and fruity with hints of herbal and sugar character, few old Speysiders will beat this excellent cask if you’re looking for the fruit-driven malt that the ‘Burgie does so well.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Murray McDavid Ledaig 2001 21 Year Old Margaux Wine Cask UK Exclusive

A special bottling from Tobermory distillery released as part of Murray McDavid’s premium Mission Gold series. This heavily-peated Ledaig was matured for 21 years, including three-year finish in an exceptional Margaux wine cask. One of only 186 bottles at a cask strength of 57.4% abv.

£190.00
BUY NOW

An independent bottling from Tobermory distillery released by Murray McDavid as part of their premium Mission Gold series. This heavily-peated Ledaig expression hails from the Isle of Mull, and was matured for an impressive 21 years – including a finish of three years in an exceptional Margaux wine cask. One of only 186 bottles, and decanted at a cask strength of 57.4% abv.

On the nose we find smoky floral notes, with hints of sweet strawberries. The palate is full of maritime peat, woody smoke and hints of toffee apple, which lead to an oily finish of oak spice and fresh flowers.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 485: Port Ellen 19 Year Old 1982 Old Malt Cask

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries a legendary malt. His friend Hans recently celebrated his 60th birthday and presented Mark and friends with a line-up of closed distilleries. The grand finale was this 19 years old Port Ellen from 1982 in the Old Malt Cask series. It was outstanding, so Mark could not resist the urge to make a Rambling with this beauty.

BERRY BROS. & RUDD 2023 SPRING RELEASE

CELEBRATES UK SPIRIT

With two Royal Warrants and more than 300 years of history, Britain’s original wine and spirits merchant, Berry Bros. & Rudd, is celebrating the breadth and depth of UK spirit making with the launch of their 2023 Spring Release.

Featuring Berry Bros. & Rudd’s first ever bottling of an English whisky, the collection also includes  a Portsmouth Rum and six Scotch single malt whiskies.

The Spirit of Yorkshire 2017 PX Finish Cask #2237 celebrates the fertility and rich biodiversity of the Yorkshire Wolds, producing spirit from barley cultivated in-house. Using the iconic Scottish Forsyth stills, the distillery has been making sweet, soft Single Malt since 2016.

 Joe Clark, Whisky Director at Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery, said:

“There are some things in whisky that you can only do once and this special bottling is definitely one of them. When this delicious, rich and fruity cask of field-to-bottle whisky was bottled it became not only our very first independent bottling but also the first English whisky bottled by Berry Bros. & Rudd. To work with Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant for this momentous release is nothing short of an honour and a privilege.”

Jonny McMillan, Reserve Whisky Manager at Berry Bros. & Rudd, added:

“This first ever English Single Malt bottling by Berry Bros. & Rudd is a nice little piece of our history, and is happily an excellent whisky also. It is the first of four English Single Malts we will be bottling this year as part of our very special 325th anniversary of Berry Bros. & Rudd,  so watch this space for more.”

The Portsmouth 2019 Cask #5 rum marks a debut offering from Portsmouth Distillery, a craft rum distillery founded by two ex-Royal Navy officers. Matured in ex-Bourbon barrels for three years, this golden rum offers an insight into how small English producers are exploring the beguiling spirit.

Six Scotch single malt whiskies make up the remainder of the collection, including two vibrant bottlings from Benriach Distillery, located near Elgin in Speyside. The single cask Benriach 2010 PX Finish Cask #08037 is abound with traditional character, offering a deliciously rich and vigorous malt, whereas The Benriach 1991 Exceptional Cask #46507 demonstrates the older side of the Scotch coin, resulting in a liquid with an incredibly deep and aged flavour profile.

Also deriving from Speyside, the small batch release of a Glen Elgin 2013 showcases the characterful liquid from the unassuming distillery. Other single cask releases focus more on the Scottish Highland region, including Glencadam 2011 Muscat Finish Cask #800216, Ardmore 2012 Cask #9 and Glen Garioch 2011 Oloroso Finish Cask #08028.

Doug McIvor, Reserve Spirits Manager, commented:

“The 2023 Spring Release is heavily centred on Britain and the talent that can be found on our shores. Whether it be the traditional character of casks from Speyside and the Highlands or exploring the boundary pushing techniques of English distilleries, whisky lovers are sure to be both intrigued and inspired by this release.

We are very pleased to welcome both the Spirit of Yorkshire and Portsmouth distilleries into this release. The 2019 Portsmouth rum is indicative of the promise to be found in Britain’s burgeoning rum scene, and our first foray into English whisky really encapsulates the spirit of its Yorkshire setting.”

The 2023 Spring Release which comprises of Spirit of Yorkshire 2017 PX Finish Cask #2237 (£125.00), Portsmouth 2019 Cask #5 (£69.00), Glen Elgin 2013 (£70.00), Ardmore 2012 Cask #9 (£75.00), Glencadam 2011 Muscat Finish Cask #800216 (£86.00), Benriach 2010 PX Finish Cask #08037 (£96.00), Glen Garioch 2011 Oloroso Finish Cask #08028 (£96.00) and Benriach 1991 Cask #46507 (£800.00), will be available from 6th April 2023 at bbrspirits.com.

TASTING NOTES

Spirit of Yorkshire 2017 PX Finish Cask #2237

The spirit was poured into first-fill ex-bourbon wood in February 2017, then re-racked for two and a half years into rich Pedro Ximénez wood. As with many bottlings from this brilliant distillery, the joy here is the interplay between cask and barley. Unlike most whisky-makers, our friends at Spirit of Yorkshire grow all their own barley and take an immense pride in doing so. Starting from such impeccable raw material in any endeavour gives the greatest chance of success. Here, paired with a potentially domineering ex Pedro-Ximénez Sherry cask, the rich, oily, grain sweetness is a delight. A scant few drops of water release even more sweetness alongside the opulent spice.

RRP £125.00

Glen Elgin 2013 Cask
The nose opens with Glen Elgin’s trademark burnt marmalade notes, alongside some apples and pears. A little time in the glass brings forward notes of crème brûlée with spiced cream. The palate is muscular, reminding us of Glen Elgin’s traditional worm tubs, while a perfect balance of fruit and oak waltz over the tongue. With characterful liquid like this, it’s hard to fathom why Glen Elgin isn’t one of the biggest names in Scotch whisky.

RRP: £70.00

Ardmore 2012 Cask #9
The unique earthy wood smoke drifting out of the glass can only announce the arrival of Ardmore, one of the Highland’s most characterful drams. Ash, hessian, kippers and digestive biscuits mingle with great balance, with a hint of tobacco and fruit cake appearing after some time in the glass. The palate is tremendously smoky, yet still very subtle, with notes of cedar, smoked straw, pipe tobacco and lime zest. Woodland bonfire smoke lasts long on the palate. This is the perfect hill-walking dram – enjoy it at cask strength in gale force wind and rain.

RRP: £75.00

Glencadam 2011 Muscat Finish Cask #800216

A final year maturing in ex-sweet wine casks has brought out the playful fruitiness of this delightful Glencadam. Apricots, peaches, orange blossom and honey yoghurt all flutter out of the glass, making for a wonderfully refreshing nose. The palate is gloriously thick, bringing more bright fruits along with mango syrup, chewy dried pineapple and a hint of drying wood varnish. All of this is wrapped up on the lingering palate by further notes of fruit syrup. This is amazingly fresh and floral.

RRP: £86.00

Benriach 2010 PX Finish Cask #08037

This vibrant Speysider has spent the last two years of its life in a sweet ex- Pedro Ximénez butt, giving a spicy nose full of sticky gingerbread, clove rock and liquorice. A little water coaxes out some juicy pear notes and a touch of underripe mango. The palate is a touch drying at full strength, offering ginger, pepper and sweet plum wine. A little time and dilution show a more complex dram, with layers of fruit, spice and a touch of oak. This is a vigorous whisky perfect for enjoying after dinner alongside dessert.

RRP: £96.00

Glen Garioch 2011 Oloroso Finish Cask #08028

Glen Garioch and Sherry wood are one of the finest matches in the whisky world – which is why this robust malt has spent the last two years building some extra muscle in a first-fill butt. The bouquet offers dark chocolate and tea leaves, with prune cake and spiced sultanas appearing with time. Glen Garioch has incredible body, and the palate is notably thick as dried fruit, wood smoke, brambles and oak spice all demand your attention. The finish lasts long, showing a perfect balance of fruit, spice, smoke and Sherry wood. It’s a perfect marriage of wood and distillate.

RRP: £96.00

Benriach 1991 Cask #45607

Like a good book, this elegant old Speysider builds with time and grows in character – be prepared to give it a good hour in the glass to open up. Aromas of banana bread, musty attics, leather and wax blend with fresher fruit notes to create an incredibly deep nose. This theme continues on the palate, which displays a beautifully aged character, with notes of spiced custard, cardamom fudge. Hints of praline build alongside dried apricot and something pleasingly musty. Lingering spice and fruit show with an unexpected puff of wood smoke on the back palate. This is a marvellous example of aged Speyside whisky.

RRP: £800.00

Berry Bros. & Rudd
Founded in 1698, Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain’s oldest family-owned wine and spirits merchant. The brand boasts two Royal Warrants, more than 300 years of history and six Masters of Wine, resulting in a world-class reputation for exceptional wines and spirits. Not just a fine wine retailer, spirits have long been central to the business. Alongside award-winning Speyside single malt whisky The Glenrothes, the spirits portfolio includes the classic No.3 London Dry Gin, Mauritian rum Penny Blue and the unique and historic The King’s Ginger liqueur, while the brand’s acclaimed and award-winning Own Label collection of wines and spirits includes special bottlings from some of the best winemakers and distillers in the world.

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2011 Bruichladdich 11 Year Old “Dramfool’s Jim McEwan Signature Collection 5.1” First Fill Bourbon Cask #2477 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $324.99 View

According to the distillery: “Distilled on 11th July 2011 this whisky spent its whole 11-year life maturing in cask #2477. This maturation took place in a 1st fill bourbon cask from an unknown American Distillery. Bottled in July 2022 as Release 5.1 of the Jim McEwan Signature Collection, like all bottlings within the collection, it was bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, and at natural cask strength of 59.0% (as we always say, Jim would have it no other way!), it yielded only 238 bottles.”

2002 Bruichladdich 20 Year Old “Dramfool” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $349.99 View

Jim McEwan

 Cask Type – First Fill Bourbon Barrel – ABV 59.0%. Colour – Harvest Gold. Body – Smooth Mellow and in prime condition. Aromas – Classic Islay without the smoke which allows the barley/oak notes to shine and highlights that brilliant Atlantic freshness. Hints of ripe Guava & melon work in harmony with the crispness of the malt & the oak which brings that mellow soft sweetness. It’s an irresistible combination, almost like an Atlantic rainbow of aromatics in harmony with the Island & its unique location. Taste – Wow!! Its so clean and flavourful. The texture is amazing giving the taste buds a spiritual experience like no other. The sweetness of the malt sugars is held beautifully in a cradle of spicy oak from the Bourbon cask. The fruitiness is down to slow distillation and long fermentation, and the fresh vibrant mouthfeel due to its maturing on the Atlantic Coast. The main prize here goes to the Distillery team who truly understand the art of distillation.. 

K&L Notes

According to the distillery: “The 55th Dramfool release (perhaps) crowns a year of remarkable bottlings, but who knows what December might hold! We are proud to be bottling our 20 year old Bruichladdich distilled in 2002, just one year after the re-opening of the distillery we all have come to love so much. Following on from our sister 20 year old Port Charlotte’s earlier this year what more can we say but we are delighted to share these all with you. Fully matured in 1st fill bourbon barrel, it has worked some magic over the decades. Thanks to Bruichladdich’s policy of filling casks at a higher than industry norm of 63.5% it has still retained a high strength of 59.0%! A powerhouse whisky from the, then, newly reinstated team of Bruichladdich Filled on 26/08/2002 and bottled on 11/10/2022 at 20 years old.”

2004 Port Charlotte 18 Year Old “Dramfool” Bourbon Cask Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $359.99 View

Jim McEwan

 Colour – Harvest Gold Body- Mellow & Mature Aromas – Beautiful oak, peat & hints of Atlantic swells leading onto Coastal Flora & Fauna. It has a true Hebridean DNA that works beautifully with the spice from the Bourbon that first filled the cask. Little hints of Jupiter & Pine drift by on a classic Islay marine overture all held in the warmth of a peat fire. Palate – The texture of the spirit is beautiful, viscous, mellow and brimming with all that makes Islay malts so unique. Flavours of melon & pear emerge held beautifully by the oak & peat smoke, the crisp sweetness of the malt works well with the oak which delivers a beautiful spicy drift as the oak expands releasing gentle hints of bourbon spices. This spirit is at its very best. The finish is long and mellow, a true son of Islay!! 

K&L Notes

The official bottlings of Port Charlotte top out with a 10 year age statement, but there are indeed casks from the early days of Bruichladdich’s modern renaissance which occasionally make their way to market. The sister cask to Dramfool’s 18 Year old Sherry aged Port Charlotte this cask was filled into first fill Bourbon on 10/27/2004 and bottled 11/3/22 after coming of age. Like so much of the IB market in Scotland, it’s all about who you know – Dramfool is plugged in with the best of ’em and able to score this privately owned cask. As this was a private cask, a few bottles went to the original owners, but the remainder that went up for sale totaled just 207 bottles. Bottled at a cask strength of 52.7% ABV without color or chill filtration.

2009 Port Charlotte 12 Year Old “Dramfool’s Jim McEwan Signature Collection 5.2” First Fill Bourbon Cask #1440 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $374.99 View

According to the distillery: “Distilled on 28th April 2009 this whisky spent its whole 13-year life maturing in cask #1440. This maturation took place in a 1st fill bourbon cask from the Clear Springs Distillery. Home of iconic bourbons owned by the famous Buffalo Trace their bourbon number many including Black Ridge, Stone Hammer, Two Stars and Wolcott Kentucky Straight. We have no indication of the bourbon this previously held but the Buffalo Trace cask policy is one that never wavers from quality! Bottled in July 2022 as Release 5.2 of the Jim McEwan Signature Collection, like all bottlings within the collection, it was bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, and at natural cask strength of 62.9% (as we always say, Jim would have it no other way!), it yielded only 197 bottles.”

2011 Octomore (Bruichladdich) 10 Year Old “Dramfool’s Jim McEwan Signature Collection 5.3” First Fill Bourbon Cask #4556 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $429.99 View

According to the distillery: “Distilled on 21st December 2011 this whisky spent its whole 10-year life maturing in cask #4556. This maturation took place in a 1st fill bourbon cask from an unknown American Distillery. Peated to a whopping 150.2PPM it is another ‘velvet fist in an iron glove’ which surely packs a punch. Bottled in July 2022 as Release 5.3 of the Jim McEwan Signature Collection, like all bottlings within the collection, it was bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, and at natural cask strength of 61.0% (as we always say, Jim would have it no other way!), it yielded only 202 bottles.”

Port Charlotte 18 Year Old “Dramfool” Sherry Cask Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $429.99 View

According to the distillery: “We can’t quite believe we can say this, but for the third time this year we are excited to release sister casks, and the second time from Port Charlotte. The reception our 20 year old sisters had earlier in the year was superb, and we are sure these 18 year old sisters will get similar reviews. Dramfool release #60 is a Port Charlotte distilled on 27th October 2004 and filled into cask #RO8-258-23, it lay undisturbed in a first fill oloroso hogshead until being bottled 3rd November 2022. Originally purchased by private cask buyers direct from the distillery we were privileged to be chosen to bottle it after their ownership was complete, being sure some bottles made it to the sons they had been bought with in mind! As always this spirit has been treated with the greatest respect and bottled at natural cask strength of 57.7% without added colour or chill filtration giving the truest representation of this rare whisky we can. This is surely the darkest bottling we have ever released – let us reiterate ALL natural colour! – and proves what a dream peat and sherry can be! With only 227 bottles it might last longer than her sister but we doubt much longer!!”

2010 Octomore (Bruichladdich) 12 Year Old “Dramfool’s Jim McEwan Journey’s End 3” First Fill Bourbon Barrel Cask#4525 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $499.99 View

Just 222 bottles of this stunning Scotch were ever made! A rare blend that spent its entire life aging in a single cask, this is a stellar rare release from Octomore. According to the distillery, “Distilled on 12th June 2010 this whisky spent its whole 12-year life maturing in cask #4525. This maturation took place in a 1st fill bourbon cask from an unknown American Distillery. Peated to a more delicate – than some Octomore but still outrageous to many others – 96.9PPM it is classic of this rare spirit. Bottled in July 2022 as the final Journey’s End release, like all bottlings within the collection, it was bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, and at natural cask strength of 58.6% (as we always say, Jim would have it no other way!)”

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